Probate & Estate Administration

For almost everyone, the death of a someone you know can be devastating. While the probate process is easier than in most states, the emotional aspect may complicate that process and increase the stress. The Estate and Trust Attorneys at Reams & Reams are able to give you targeted advice to solve your probate, estate or trust issues. Reams & Reams also acts as the Office of the Public Administrator of the 21st Judicial District of Colorado. The immeasurable knowledge of probate and trust administration allow us to effectively manage your estate at a fraction of other law firms.

We offer a range of legal services:

Estate Planning, including Wills and Trusts

Financial and Medical Power of Attorney

Advanced Directives or Living Wills

Estate Administration

Trust Administration

Will Contests

Estate Litigation

Determination of Heirship

Medicaid Planning and Long Term Care Assistance

Appeals for Estate matters or Medicaid

Public Administrator

The Public Administrator is appointed to administer estates of deceased and living persons. This appointment includes the power to collect, protect, and manage assets of certain individuals, when no one else is willing or able to administer the estate. As Public Administrators generally take on numerous cases each year, they are a valuable resource for all things relating to probate.

Decedent Estates:

After death of an individual, the Public Administrator may be asked to administer the estate. Normally, the estate is handled by the decedent’s heirs or a personal representative. But if the Public Administrator is appointed, he will protect the decedent’s residence and assets until the estate is administered or until a family member comes forward. As the Public Administrator continually administers estates when assets cannot be located, he should be contacted by the nursing home, hospital, or the coroner’s office to effectively manage the estate.

Conservatorships and Trusts:

As guardianships or conservatorships can be a monumental responsibility for relatives, Public Administrators can be appointed to protect and serve when no one is able to fill that capacity. Occasionally, Public Administrators will be appointed in cases where physical or financial abuse has occurred, and in some cases, protect the individual from family members as they are sometimes the perpetrators. These cases apply to minors as well as adults, especially when the individual is mentally incapacitated and the family members are unable to adequately care for their loved one.

Expectations of Fees:

When a Public Administrator is appointed, the fees come solely from the estate and are required to be justified and reasonable. As the Public Administrator does not receive public funding, sometimes the cost of administration may come personally from the Public Administrator. If you think the Public Administrator is right for you or need more information, please call us at 970-242-7847. If you want to see our fee schedule, click here.